Andrew Luck and bunch, stack formations may create Week 15 havoc

The Colts new head coach Frank Reich has revamped the Indianapolis offense to fit the strengths of their franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck. It’s working.

Through 14 games Luck has thrown 34 touchdowns and for 3,759 passing yards and is now on pace for one of his best seasons ever, executing an offense full of creativity.

Transformation of the offensive line, motions, and creative bunch formations have Luck playing at an extremely high level, and presents a tough matchup for the Cowboys in Week 15.

Bunch Formations

One of the staples of Reich’s offense this year has been lining up his wideouts in bunch formations. Reich uses these formations to cross up defenses and apply stress to their coverage principles.

The former Philadelphia OC is creative with where he lines up his receivers in the bunch and at times uses different combinations of either tight ends, running backs, and wideouts.

On this play it is 3rd and 7, and the Colts are in 11 personnel with an empty backfield lined up against the Jaguars Cover 1 coverage.

Three wide receivers are lined in a bunch to Luck’s right with T.Y. Hilton outside running a quick comeback, Dontrelle Inman at the top of the bunch running the deep out route and Zac Pascal running the short out. Eric Ebron will be running the slant on the back side of the play.

Nyheim Hines motion forces Jalen Ramsey to move outside and not allow him to cover the bunch. It creates a match up with the strong safety, and two linebackers to cover the routes at the snap.

After the snap, Hilton and Inman both display acceleration in their release, but Pascal hesitates to hold Myles Jack (#44) and creates a hole for Hilton to sit down and open up for the catch. Luck finds him for a first down to keep the chains moving.

Stack Formations

The Colts also display stack formations to create mismatches, and pick plays creating easy throws for Luck. Ebron is having a breakout season, and Reich has made him the primary red zone target. He uses him correctly on this play.

The Colts are in 11 personnel with four out wide with Ebron and Hilton stacked up to Luck’s left, with Pascal and Ryan Grant to his right. The Texans are in Cover 1 man with safety line up over the stack to the left of Luck.

The play is a set up to get Ebron open on the out route with Hilton running a pick/post route to create separation for the tight end and the easy touchdown.

The Colts execute this flawlessly with the safety running around Hilton to get to Ebron. Luck has an easy completion, but throws it behind his target. It didn’t matter because there was so much separation Ebron rolls in for the TD.

Defending the bunch

Defending against the bunch takes a lot of communication and understanding of the defensive assignment. If the Cowboys struggle to communicate and know their assignments on Sunday, it could be a long day for the defense.

In the play above the Texans do an excellent job defending the bunch formation. The Colts are in 11 personnel with three wide receivers bunched up to Luck’s left and Ebron lined up one on one to the right.

The Texans are in Cover 1 coverage with a slot cornerback lined up close to the line of scrimmage.

When the ball is snapped, the Texans secondary is very disciplined in their man coverage with the slot corner staying patient and avoiding the pick play to stay with the wide receiver.

Luck wants to go to Ebron, but that is covered up by the outside corner forcing Luck to hold onto the ball. This allows the Texans defensive line to gain pressure on the quarterback and finish off the play with a big sack.

The Cowboys are facing the best offense they have seen this year outside of New Orleans, and have to be very prepared for this matchup. The Cowboys have to communicate to stay with this creative offense and stop easy completions.

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